As a Marine, today is a special day. 242 years ago, our Corps was born in a small tavern in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Since that time Marines have led the way in wars to defend Americans and our interests around the world.

For Marines, “First to Fight” is not just a slogan. It’s a way of life that I embraced in Iraq and Afghanistan and still do, to this day, here at home.

Today, though, our Marines – and 99% of all U.S. Military bases – are completely dependent upon our nation’s civilian electric grid. If that grid were to suffer a prolonged blackout – which is a very real prospect – these hardened warfighters would be in the same boat as the rest of our society: without running water, with backed up sewer, and eventually without food or medical care. Should we make sure military bases have secure and protected sources of electricity? Sure. Should we make sure our entire nation has a secure grid? ABSOLUTELY.